HELP!! Oily spark plugs - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

markelemon · 06-03-2011, 10:50

I still am in desperate need of some definitive answer. Hopefully someone can PLEASE assist me. There is a previous thread out there (Do a search for markelemon) I have a check engine light on that sometimes stays steady and sometimes blinks. I have oil in my spark plugs (on the bottom half where it sparks) and oil in my radiator coolant. And recently, probably due to the oil on the spark plugs, it's dying at stoplights and such. I have heard it is something as simple as head cover gaskets or as shi**y as a complete overhaul. Can someone help me out, please?

no_common_sens · 06-03-2011, 18:48

I think a cylinder leak down test is in order for you. There's likely to be too many variables for people to speculate on from their PC's. Those speculations will probably just rile your imagination so get to the leak down test if you're capable or know somebody who is. One other thing to do in the interim is to check your oil. Look to see if it's milky or if you're "gaining oil". Since oil is getting into the cooling system, it's all too possible that you're also getting antifreeze in the crankcase. If you do find coolant in the crankcase, stop driving the car.

**Bert** · 06-03-2011, 19:32

2x ^^^^

no_common_sens · 06-11-2011, 21:41

Any luck or progress in diagnosis yet Mark?

markelemon · 06-18-2011, 08:12

No luck yet. My oil isn't milky, so that is good. I was told by a mechanic that owns a '98 Crown Vic (I have a '99) that it sounds like valve cover gaskets. I'm going to do a search for a cylinder leak down test now to see if I'm capable of doing that. Stick around, please! :)

markelemon · 06-18-2011, 08:12

Bert,
What is this? "2x ^^^^" and how does that help me?

**Bert** · 06-18-2011, 10:49

That means I second and agree with the post above. The valve cover gasket would only get oil on the upper part.

markelemon · 06-21-2011, 09:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bert

The valve cover gasket would only get oil on the upper part.

Okay, I took it to a diagnostic place. They are telling me that a bad coil would cause the oil and the spark plug foul out. Personally, I find that "oil soaked spark plugs due to bad coil" part hard to believe but whatever. My question is--besides the obvious--am I correct in assuming my car has eight coils? (C.O.P.) I've researched what they look like and I believe I have eight. But I have seen people say "I changed out two coils..." Don't you have to change all eight of them at once?

**Bert** · 06-21-2011, 09:58

There are 8 coils on the 98 and newer. You don't have to replace them all at once. In most cases. A bad coil will make it run rough and if it's run like that a long time, there could be coatings on the plugs.

markelemon · 06-21-2011, 10:08

Okay Bert, that's good to know. That "free" diagnostics" cost me 70.00 so I don't want to have to go through that again. Am I to assume that the oil soaked spark plug is the one with the bad coil? That makes sense to me--of course, I'm an idiot.